Burlington Mundialization Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Room 247, City Hall, second floor

1.
Members Present:

 

Hassan Raza, Adham Kandil, Rachel Debling, Allan Dykstra, Annalisa Lochan, Anne Koopman, Christine Greco, Marybeth Curtin, Chris VanDooren 

2.
Member Regrets:

 

Diana Tello

3.
Others Present:

 

Councillor Nisan, Lisa Palermo (Clerk)

4.
Land Acknowledgement:

 

The Chair read the land acknowledgement.

5.
Declarations of Interest:

 

None.

6.
Approval of Minutes:

 

7.
Delegation(s):

 

8.
Regular Items:

 

8.1
Itabashi Sub-Committee Update

 

a.
2025 - Sakura Festival, article of Nikkei Voice

This item has attachments. 
1.Burlington Sakura Festival - Nikkei Voice.pdf

b.
Marybeth provided the update

 
  • A delegation from the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce - Itabashi Ward visited Burlington Sept. 2-3. They attended business meetings hosted by Burlington Economic Development and attended a courtesy call with Mayor Meed Ward, Councillors Galbraith and Nisan, Marybeth Curtin and Rob Lyng.  Marybeth led a tour of twinning related items found in and around City Hall.
  • A Japanese Sword themed event will be held at Burlington Central Library on Sept. 27th from 2-3:30 pm.  Japanese Sword Appreciation.
  • The Japanese Consulate is planning an event in 2026 to bring together municipalities with twin cities. 
  • MOTION: to provide the sword presenter with up to $100 honorarium. Carried.

8.2
Apeldoorn Sub-Committee Update

 

Anne provided the update:

  • The sub-committee is down to 5 members and in need of new members. 
  • Elementary high schools - pen pal exchanges being discussed with Tom Thompson and Trinity Christian school
  • Trinity and Brant school would like to participate in the CNFD art exchange in 2026.
  • The new Dutch Consul General - Marjan Schippers.
  • CNFD dates being considered are May 2, May 9 or May 23. LaSalle Park Pavilion will be the venue. The committee is discussing themes for the event and the potential program.
  • The committee is proposing that a bi-annual newsletter be created to highlight the twinning relationship between Burlington and the Netherlands and to highlight stories of interest from both communities.  The newsletter would be shared in both Burlington and the Netherlands with input from both.  Details are being discussed.
  • The committee is also discussing a potential FIFA themed event to bring Canadian, Japanese and Dutch fans together.
  • Future citizen exchanges are being discussed for 2027 or 2028.
  • The committee will further discuss the distribution of the Canada Netherlands book by Julia Sinke to elementary schools and bring a proposal back for consideration.

8.3
United Nation Sub-Committee Update

 

Chris provided the update:

  • The committee will meet to confirm the theme for the model UN event.
  • Annalisa has confirmed the guest speaker
  • Details to be provided at the next meeting.
  • Letters to MP and MPP's will be sent out by Chris

9.
Other Business:

 

9.1
Food for Feedback - September 13, 2025

 

Rachel, Annalisa, Marybeth, Chris, Chris, Adham, and Hassan will attend the event to represent Mundialization.

10.
Adjournment:

 

Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:05 pm

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